dannybz Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Checked oil level today, went for a little drive got it up to temp, then let her cool down for 20 mins or so. Check oil level and the side that does not have the L M levels on looks coated with oil but the other side with the L M looks a bit bare? Totally confused does this mean lil is low or have i got enough? lol PIcs here top with oil coated that was not on the reading side. the other pics are is the side of the dipstick which has the L M on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Let it stand for longer and clean your dipstick before you take a reading - should make the reading easier. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybz Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 Yeah always clean the dipstick with a bit of blue role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 What you need to do imo is this; Leave the car on a flat level surface overnight. In the morning (when the oil is cold) pull the dipstick completely out and wipe it clean. Re-insert the dipstick fully into place and wait 5 seconds or so. Then slowly and carefully pull the dipstick completely out and check the level on the sides with the marks. It should be up to the top mark really. I always check my oil when cold and recommend you do the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybz Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 Okay just i heard it was better to warm up the oil first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Bradders- Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Not in the fiddys its not, it shows all over the place readings if its hot, i always check mine after rolling it out the garage before i start it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 What he said, I normally check mine in the morning pre any driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 i always thought and was taught by VW oil should be checked when at normal operation temperatures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 i always thought and was taught by VW oil should be checked when at normal operation temperatures Not in a Zed cos the above occurs ^^^^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) i always thought and was taught by VW oil should be checked when at normal operation temperatures Makes no sense to me ~ every car I have ever owned (including a Mk3 Golf VR6) I have always checked the oil when cold and on flat ground. You're trying to assess how much oil is in the engine after all so imo you need to leave it overnight for as much of the oil as possible to drain through back to the sump which is where you are reading the level from. If the engine has not been turned off long ago then there will still be oil trapped around the engine in galleries and on components. Giving you a less than true reading imo. Edit: spelling doh (access = assess) Edited July 16, 2014 by GMballistic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) i always thought and was taught by VW oil should be checked when at normal operation temperatures Makes no sense to me ~ every car I have ever owned (including a Mk3 Golf VR6) I have always checked the oil when cold and on flat ground. You're trying to access how much oil is in the engine after all so imo you need to leave it overnight for as much of the oil as possible to drain through back to the sump which is where you are reading the level from. If the engine has not been turned off long ago then there will still be oil trapped around the engine in galleries and on components. Giving you a less than true reading imo. isnt that the point if your checking it full and its ok then once it circulated drops below minimum and starves youve got an issue if you check it after its been turned over and oil pressure is built if its above the level you no its safe as it wont be below that level, every mechanic ive known when doing an oil change will top it up with oil check it start it for 20-30 seconds then check it to make sure during operations its not below the minimum level Edited July 16, 2014 by StevoD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 i always thought and was taught by VW oil should be checked when at normal operation temperatures Makes no sense to me ~ every car I have ever owned (including a Mk3 Golf VR6) I have always checked the oil when cold and on flat ground. You're trying to access how much oil is in the engine after all so imo you need to leave it overnight for as much of the oil as possible to drain through back to the sump which is where you are reading the level from. If the engine has not been turned off long ago then there will still be oil trapped around the engine in galleries and on components. Giving you a less than true reading imo. isnt that the point if your checking it full and its ok then once it circulated drops below minimum and starves youve got an issue if you check it after its been turned over and oil pressure is built if its above the level you no its safe as it wont be below that level, every mechanic ive known when doing an oil change will top it up with oil check it start it for 20-30 seconds then check it to make sure during operations its not below the minimum level As far as I'm aware the marks on the dipsticks are for checking the level when the oil is cold. May differ between manufacturers but I've done it that way on every car I've owned since 1997 and never had a problem with my oil levels. My Honda EP3 wouldn't have gone into VTEC if the oil was too low and that always ran well. If you're happy doing it your way then keep doing it ~ I'm going to keep doing it from cold though thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 yea fair enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmck13 Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Mobil America say this, http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/Checking_Motor_Oil_Levels.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I seldom do this, but I just checked in the owner's manual! It says... Park on level surface Run engine until at operating temperature Turn off engine and wait more than 10 minutes for oil to drain back in to the oil pan Remove dipstick, clean and re-insert Remove dipstick and check level is between H & L Top up if below L, do not overfill. Personally, I check the level when it's fully cold - first thing in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Mobil America say this, http://www.mobiloil....Oil_Levels.aspx We recommend checking the oil level either before turning on the engine, or 5 to 10 minutes after shutting down so you can have all the oil in the oil pan to get an accurate measurement. Leading me to believe I'm correct with the dipstick level marks being there to indicate oil levels when cold and there is as much oil in the sump as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybz Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 Will double check in the morning and see if i can get a more accurate reading thanks fellas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopedmark Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Check it when it's cold like everyone else GM ballistic is correct as allways it's also a lot clearer on the reverse side of the marks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybz Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 Okay checked today before even starting looks quite low i think... surprising since when i purchased her a few weeks ago was meant to have a full oil and filter change.. hmmm makes me wonder... unless i have caning it too hard. I only done around 700 miles though. Now i tried taking offt he oil cap, and for the life of me i can not get it off.. which way is it meant to turn clockwise or anti? seems like its friggen glued on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 anti-clockwise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybz Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 okay wrench and towel did the job lol now which oil is best for me to buy to put in this thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 (It says on the filler cap you just took off!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybz Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 Erm.. looked on it and there seems to be nothing showing but called Ken up and recommends 10w 40 so will give that a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 lefty loosy, righty tighty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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